Rh antibody

ABSTRACT

Rh antibody hybrids for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The Rh hybrid antibody may also be used in therapeutic procedures which require the use of Rh antisera. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG anti-Rh antibody which has a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of the IgG antibody heavy chains. A hemagglutinin method is provided for Rh phenotyping in which agglutination of Rh-positive red blood cells is achieved in a one-step process involving addition of the hybrid Rh antisera to the red blood cells being tested.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/372,425, filed Aug. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,425.

This invention was made with Government support under Grant (or Contract) No. CA 16858, awarded by the NIH. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to antibodies to Rh(Rhesus) factors which are present on the surface of red blood cells. More particularly, the invention is directed to improved Rh antibodies which may be used in Rh typing methods or as therapeutic agents.

2. Description of Related Art

The publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the invention and to provide additional details regarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference. For convenience, the reference materials are numerically referenced and identified in the appended bibliography.

Rh factors are genetically determined antigens (agglutinogens) which are present on the surface of red blood cells. Rh factors form a complex blood group system which is of major importance in clinical medicine. The Rh(D) antigen is one of the most immunogenic and best known Rh factors. The presence or absence of Rh(D) antigen is especially important in blood transfusions because mixing of Rh(D) positive and Rh(D) negative blood types can result in blood clotting and other severe problems for the blood recipient. Rh(D) blood type is also important in pregnancy where severe problems can occur when the mother and fetus have Rh(D) blood types which do not match.

A number of methods have been developed to determine Rh blood type. The majority of the procedures are hemagglutination tests which utilize one or more reagents that include antibodies to Rh antigens. Typically, the reagents are added to a sample of red blood cells in a test well and incubated for a set period of time. The presence of Rh antigen is most often determined macroscopically by agglutination of the cells in the same manner as other conventional blood typing procedures.

Several modalities and antibody reagents are currently available to perform Rh hemagglutinin tests. In one type of test protocol, IgG anti-Rh antibodies are initially added to the red blood cells. IgG antibodies are “incomplete” antibodies with respect to the Rh antigen and therefor are not able to agglutinate the red blood cells by themselves. As a result, potentiating agents such as non-specific proteins or secondary anti-human IgG must be added to induce a positive agglutination reaction. This type of test is prone to false positives due to the non specific nature of the added potentiating agent.

In another type of Rh typing protocol, IgM anti-Rh antibodies are used in place of the IgG antibody. IgM is a complete antibody with respect to Rh and is capable of agglutinating Rh positive cells. However, IgM antibodies are not nearly as reactive as IgG antibodies. This results in the need for extended incubation times and the potential for false negative tests.

The basic Rh hemagglutination tests have been modified in a number of different ways in order to simplify the tests and make them more accurate. For example, a “gel test” has been proposed which uses a recombinant anti-Rh(D)Fab/phage and anti-M13phage antibody as the secondary reagent. Alternatively, IgG anti-D has been pretreated with reducing agents to open the hinge region of the molecule. Also, red blood cells have been treated with certain enzymatic preparations, such as papain, to render the cells susceptible to direct agglutination with IgG anti-Rh(D). Exemplary Rh(D) blood typing procedures are set forth in Reference Nos. 1-11.

Although the existing procedures for determining Rh blood type are well-suited for their intended purpose, there is still room for improvement. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to develop new reagents and protocols which will make Rh phenotyping even easier, faster and more accurate.

Rh(D) antibodies are also used as prophylactic agents. For example, the administration of Rh(D) antibodies for preventing the hemolytic disease of the newborn due to Rh incompatibility (HDN-Rh) is a very effective, and well established medical practice. HDN-Rh occurs to Rh(D) positive fetuses carried by previously immunized, Rh(D) negative, pregnant women. Rh(D) antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class existing in the maternal blood cross the placental barrier and reach the fetal circulation. Once there, Rh(D) antibodies bind to and induce lysis of red blood cells, causing the disease. Since 1961 it is known that the administration of Rh(D) antibodies to pregnant women just after delivery prevents Rh(D) sensitization. More recently and based on accumulated evidence of Rh immunization during pregnancy, antenatal administration of Rh(D) antibodies (at 28 week's gestation) has also been proposed, and adopted in some countries. Despite its efficacy, the mechanism of action of the administered Rh(D) antibodies is not completely understood.

At the time of introduction of the Rh prophylaxis programme, the Rh(D) immunoglobulin for injection was derived mainly from the post-partum plasma of women immunized by pregnancy. Due to the success of this treatment the diminishing number of women immunized during pregnancy has reduced the availability of plasma-derived anti-D. This shortage lead to the recruitment and immunization of D negative male volunteers for the procurement of anti-D. Currently, anti-D used in prophylaxis is composed of immunoglobulin obtained almost entirely from these two sources.

Several considerations suggest that additional, non-plasma derived, sources of anti-D will be required in the near future. Firstly, the demand is expected to increase as the population grows. Secondly, the number of immunized, pregnant women donors is expected to diminish even more due to the efficacy of the Rh prophylaxis. Thirdly, immunization of D negative volunteers has been criticized due to potential risks of contamination with pathogenic, blood-borne viruses. An alternative approach to producing human anti-D is the monoclonal and recombinant antibody technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, improved Rh antibodies are provided which may be used as therapeutic agents. The improved Rh anti-bodies may also be used in a one-step hemagglutinin method which utilizes a single Rh antisera to provide fast and accurate Rh phenotyping of blood.

The invention is based on the discovery that polymeric functionality can be added to existing IgG anti-Rh antibodies to provide hybrid Rh antibodies which have the desired high level of reactivity with Rh antigens and the ability to agglutinate red blood cells without a separate potentiating agent.

The invention includes reagents adapted for therapeutic use and for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The reagent includes an anti-Rh hybrid antibody which is composed of IgG antibody with a polymeric tailpiece. In an exemplary embodiment, the hybrid antibody is made up of an IgG3 anti-Rh(D) antibody which includes lambda light chains and gamma-3 heavy chains. The hybrid is formed by attaching an IgM tailpiece to the carboxy terminal end of each of the gamma-3 heavy chains of the IgG3. It was discovered that attachment of the IgM tailpieces to the IgG3 heavy chains produced an antibody which is especially well-suited for Rh phenotyping. The antibody retains high reactivity with Rh(D) antigens while at the same time achieving agglutination of the red blood cells to allow macroscopic evaluation of Rh(D) antigen presence.

As a feature of the present invention, the polymeric tailpiece which is attached to the carboxy terminal end of the IgG antibody may include IgM, IgA or hybrid or synthetic tailpieces. The polymeric tailpiece may also be any amino acid or short peptide which renders the IgG polymeric. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed wherein an IgM tailpiece having 18 amino acids as set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 5 is utilized. In addition, a preferred IgG3 antibody is disclosed which has gamma-3 heavy chain (SEQ. ID. NO. 6) as well as a preferred lambda light chain (SEQ. ID. NO. 4).

The improved antibodies in accordance with the present invention are used in a one-step hemagglutinin test protocol wherein red blood cells are contacted with a single antisera containing the hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody. In accordance with conventional one-step typing procedures, the hybrid antisera is contacted with the red blood cells for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to cause agglutination of red blood cells which have one or more Rh factors present. The presence or absence of the Rh factors is determined macroscopically in accordance with established visual protocols for determining agglutination.

The hybrid antibodies of the present invention also have potential to be used as prophylactic agents in HDN-Rh. For the reasons explained above, monoclonal or recombinant anti-Rh(D) will probably be required in the near future to replace polyclonal anti-Rh(D) in the prophylaxis of HDN-Rh. In vivo studies are currently in progress to test the feasibility of this approach, and evidence has been found that monoclonal IgG1 and IgG3 anti-D could indeed replace the commercial polyclonal material. Although the mechanism of action of anti-D antibodies in preventing Rh isoimmunization has not been clearly established, it is generally accepted that rapid clearance or sequestration of anti-D coated, Rh(D)-bearing red blood cells from the maternal circulation is important. It is also assumed that the interaction of the Fc portion of IgG anti-Rh antibodies with Fc receptors (FcR) displayed by certain cell populations is critical for the accelerated red blood cell clearance, this interaction inducing processes like phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cell citotoxicity (ADCC). Polymeric IgGs have been shown to exhibit accelerated clearance and enhanced interactions with FcRs compared to monomeric IgGs.

The above discussed and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary IgM/IgG3 anti-Rh(D) hybrid antibody in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a restriction map of the vector used to express the heavy chain of a preferred exemplary antibody (SEQ. ID. NOS. 1 and 2).

FIG. 3 is a restriction map depicting the vector used to express the light chain of a preferred exemplary hybrid antibody (SEQ. ID. NOS. 3 and 4).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves improving the usefulness of IgG anti-Rh antibodies which are used in hemagglutinin tests to establish the presence or absence of Rh factors. The invention involves the discovery that attaching a polymeric tailpiece to the carboxy terminus of the IgG antibody produces a hybrid antibody which is capable of agglutinating red blood cells.

The IgG antibody which can be modified in accordance with the present invention can be any of the IgG antibodies which are used in Rh typing assays or in Rh-based therapeutic procedures. IgG3 antibodies are preferred. Other IgG antibodies to which polymeric tailpieces can be attached include IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 generated in conjunction with either kappa or lambda light chains. The IgG3 antibodies may be prepared in accordance with any of the conventional procedures for producing monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies.

A polymeric exemplary IgM/IgG3 hybrid anti-Rh(D) antibody in accordance with the present invention is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG3 anti-Rh(D) antibody which includes lambda light chains 10 and 12 and gamma-3 heavy chains 14 and 16. The gamma-3 heavy chains 14 and 16 each have an amino terminal end 18 and 20, as well as carboxy terminal ends 22 and 24, respectively. As a feature of the present invention, IgM tailpieces 26 and 28 are attached to the carboxy terminal ends 22 and 24, respectively. A particularly preferred IgG3 antibody is one wherein the light chains 10 and 12 both have the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 4. The heavy chains 14 and 16 for the preferred IgG3 antibody have the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 6.

The IgM tailpieces 26 and 28 both preferably have the same amino acid sequence for a given antibody. In addition to IgM tailpieces, suitable polymeric tailpieces include IgA, hybrids of IgA and IgM and short peptides having from 1 to 30 amino acids. Exemplary tailpieces include:

PTHVNVSVVMAEVDGTCY (IgA) (SEQ. ID. NO. 8)

PTLYNVSLVMSDTAGTCY (IgM) (SEQ. ID. NO. 9)

SQCPWSPLVLQDSDTYLHPSLCK (Reference 22) (SEQ. ID. NO. 10)

CPWSPLVLQDSDTYLHPSLCK (Reference 22) (SEQ. ID. NO. 11)

Indeed any tailpiece with an accessible cysteine residue would be expected to suffice. Tailpieces 26 and 28 having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 5 are preferred.

The hybrid antibodies in accordance with the present invention are preferably made utilizing recombinant techniques as set forth in detail in references 12 and 13. The hybrid antibodies are made using these established procedures for genetically engineering the light chain and heavy chain genes to produce antibodies having the desired amino acid sequences.

A detailed description of an exemplary procedure for producing a preferred antibody is set forth as follows. This preferred hybrid antibody will be referred to as RecPolRhD. This recombinant antibody has heavy chains with amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 2 and light chains with amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 4. This recombinant antibody was synthesized and secreted into tissue culture media by a transfectoma generated by sequential transfection of the antibody light chain (pAZ7602) and heavy chain (pAN7629) containing vectors (see FIGS. 3 and 2, respectively) into the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line Pro-5 (ATCC CRL 1781). The details of this exemplary procedure are as follows:

1) Construction of light chain expression vector: The variable and constant domain encoding genes of a human monoclonal anti-Rh(D) antibody (named D19) light chain were separately amplified from cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After identification by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis both gene fragments were rejoined by overlapping PCR, using primers containing restriction sites to facilitate cloning into the selected eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1. The amplification product of the second PCR reaction was cloned into pCRBlunt. Positive identification was repeated in a similar fashion, and the identified entire light chain gene was subcloned into the expression vector. 2) Construction of heavy chain expression vector: The variable domain of a human monoclonal anti-Rh(D) antibody (D19) heavy chain was amplified by standard RT-PCR. Restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis was done to positively identify the VH gene. A new PCR was performed using primers containing a splice recognition sequence in the 3′-end primer, and restriction sites to facilitate cloning into the selected eukaryotic expression vector. The expression vector was built by combining selected sequences of two previously described vectors, pAH4802 and pAG4006. pAH4802 is an expression vector containing cloning sites (EcoRV/NheI) for heavy chain variable regions, and all of the information corresponding to the constant part of the gamma 3 heavy chain. pAG4006 contains information encoding a recombinant gamma 3 heavy chain specific for the hapten molecule dansyl. This recombinant gamma 3 heavy chain has a mu-tail piece attached to its carboxy terminus. A three-way ligation reaction was performed using the HindIII/SacII fragment of pAH4802 (containing the V_(π) cloning sites and most of the _(—)3 heavy chain sequence), the SacII/BamHI fragment of pAG4006 (containing the 3′-end of the gamma 3 heavy chain with the mu-tail piece), and pUC18 (digested with HindIII and BamHI) as a backbone. The resulting intermediate vector, pUC18-7605int, was digested with BamHI and HincII. To build a generic expression vector, the BamHI/HincII fragment (containing the gamma 3 heavy chain with the mu-tail piece, and with cloning sites EcoRV/NheI for any desired V_(π)) was inserted into pAN7608, which is a modified version of pcDNA3.1 where the neomycin resistance gene is the selectable marker and the short segment NheI-XbaI has been excised from the polylinker. The cloned V_(H) sequence specific for the Rh(D) antigen was subcloned into this vector as a EcoRV/NheI fragment to generate pAN7629, which is the final expression vector.

The above procedure for preparing an IgM/IgG hybrid antibody is exemplary only, with it being understood that other anti-Rh antibodies may be modified in the same manner by adding a polymeric tailpiece.

The hybrid antibody may be used in the same manner as any antiserum that is used in a single-step blood typing method. The antibody may be suspended in a variety of standard carrier solutions including saline or PBS. The concentration of hybrid antibody in the solution may be varied to achieve desired antigen reactivity and agglutination properties. The amount of antibody in a given solution can be varied based on simple experimental evaluation of the agglutination titer.

An advantage of the present invention is that the hybrid antibody can be simply mixed with the red blood cells being typed and allowed to incubate at room temperature for a short period of time. The incubation period is generally on the order of a few minutes up to an hour. The sample is then visually checked for agglutination to establish the blood is Rh-positive or negative. Two exemplary Rh-typing methods in accordance with the present invention are as follows:

-   1.—Spin technique (in tubes):     -   In a glass tube add 2 drops of Rh(D) antibody and 1 drop of a 3%         red blood cell suspension made in saline solution. Rh(D)         antibody can be used either as previously titrated culture         supernatant or as properly quantified purified protein. Saline         solution is 0.15 M NaCl.     -   Incubate for 30 minutes at room temperature or 10-15 minutes at         37° C.     -   Centrifuge at 1000 g for 40 seconds.     -   Examine macroscopically, over a light source, for agglutination         by gently tapping or shaking and rolling the tube to remove the         cell button from the bottom.     -   Record the score for agglutination. -   2.—Rh(D) typing using u-well microplates:     -   Add 25 microL of each of the different red blood cell samples to         test (3% suspensions made up in saline or phosphate buffered         saline solution) to a well containing 50 microL of Rh(D)         antibody (as previously titrated culture supernatant or         quantified purified protein). Mix well by gentle shaking.     -   Cover the plate with a lid and incubate at 37° C. for 15         minutes.     -   Lightly centrifuge the plate at 100 g for 30-60 seconds.     -   Agglutination can be read by tilting the plate at an angle of 70         degrees to the horizontal and allowing the cells to “trail”;         with positive reactions the cell button remains in the bottom of         the well, negative reactions run or trail.

Reactions can also be read by looking for agglutination after resuspending the cell button. Resuspension can be achieved by tapping the plates.

The hybrid antibodies of the present invention may also be used as prophylactic agents. As already mentioned, the administration of Rh(D) antibodies for preventing the hemolytic disease of the newborn due to Rh incompatibility (HDN-Rh) is an effective and established medical practice. However, traditional sources of the anti-D immunoglobulin for injection from the post-partum plasma of women immunized by pregnancy and from immunized D negative male are becoming limited. Currently, anti-D used in prophylaxis is composed of immunoglobulin obtained almost entirely from these two sources.

Considering that additional, non-plasma derived, sources of anti-D will certainly be required in the near future, the monoclonal and recombinant antibody technologies may provide an alternative approach to producing the required antibodies. Monoclonal anti-Rh(D) will probably be necessary to replace polyclonal anti-Rh(D) in the prophylaxis of HDN-Rh. It is generally accepted that rapid clearance or sequestration of anti-D coated, Rh(D)-bearing red blood cells from the maternal circulation is important to prevent Rh(D) sensitization of mothers at risk. The rapid clearance of polymeric IgGs make polymeric IgG anti-Rh(D) potentially potent for use as a prophylactic reagent in HDN-Rh, either alone or in conjunction with other monoclonal antibody(ies).

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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1. A reagent for use in a one-step hemagglutinin test to determine the presence of one or more Rh antigens on red blood cells, said reagent comprising: A) hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody comprising: a) an IgG anti-Rh antibody that comprises two light chains and two heavy chains wherein said heavy chains each comprise an amino terminal end and a carboxy terminal end; and b) a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of said heavy chains, said polymeric tailpiece being selected from the group consisting of IgM tailpieces, IgA tailpieces, and peptides having a length of 30 amino acids or less, wherein said peptides comprise an accessible cysteine residue, which is capable of rendering the hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody polymeric; and B) a carrier solution for said hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody.
 2. The reagent according to claim 1 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is selected from the group consisting of IgM tailpieces and IgA tailpieces.
 3. The reagent according to claim 2 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is an IgM tailpiece.
 4. The reagent according to claim 3 wherein said IgM tailpiece consists of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO.
 5. 5. The reagent according to claim 1 wherein said IgG antibody comprises gamma 3 heavy chains and lambda light chains.
 6. The reagent according to claim 5 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is an IgM tailpiece.
 7. The reagent according to claim 1 wherein said accessible cysteine residue is the second most C-terminal residue.
 8. The reagent according to claim 7 wherein the C-terminal residue is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine and lysine.
 9. The method for testing red blood cells to determine the presence of one or more Rh antigens, said method comprising: A) contacting red blood cells with a reagent that comprises hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody and a carrier solution for said hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody, said contact being for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to cause agglutination of red blood cells that have one or more Rh antigens present and wherein said hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody comprises: a) an IgG anti-Rh antibody that comprises two light chains and two heavy chains wherein said heavy chains each comprise an amino terminal end and a carboxy terminal end; and b) a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of said heavy chains, said polymeric tailpiece being selected from the group consisting of IgM tailpieces, IgA tailpieces, and peptides having a length of 30 amino acids or less, wherein said peptides comprise an accessible cysteine residue, which is capable of rendering the hybrid IgG anti-Rh antibody polymeric; and B) determining whether said red blood cells agglutinate as a result of said contact with said reagent, wherein agglutination of said red blood cells is indicative of the presence of Rh antigen.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is selected from the group consisting of IgM tailpieces and IgA tailpieces.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is an IgM tailpiece.
 12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said IgM tailpiece consists of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO.
 5. 13. The method according to claim 9 wherein said IgG antibody comprises gamma 3 heavy chains and lambda light chains.
 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said polymeric tailpiece is an IgM tailpiece.
 15. The method according to claim 9 wherein said accessible cysteine residue is the second most C-terminal residue.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the C-terminal residue is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine and lysine. 